One of the most familiar accounts in the Bible is that of Peter walking with Jesus on the surface of the Sea of Galilee. “Early in the morning Jesus came walking toward the boat on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’ Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ Jesus said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus” (Matthew 14:25-8).
I believe that most of us would like to be water-walkers. Perhaps not necessarily in the miraculous sense, but we would nevertheless like to push out of our comfort zones, past the uncertainties that cause us to pause, and beyond the doubtful voices of our peers. We have big dreams. What joy it would bring to accomplish some of them! What deep sense of satisfaction would follow taking a risk, stepping out in faith, and seeing a godly mission through to its end!
Where would you like to walk on the water? Maybe God has been tugging at your heart to use your unique gifts to assist disadvantaged people. Perhaps it’s a career change you have in mind that would better your family. You may have a relationship that you want to begin, or another that needs to be healed. But fear is holding you back, keeping you within the confines of the boat, locking you within its hull, and causing you a sinking feeling.
During the month of June I ventured back to Angola, southern Africa. The most touching moment occurred during a visit to the Kalukembe Hospital. This 100-bed facility has been running with no doctor for the last eight years! During my stay I was reminded of one special man who overcame his fears and got out of the boat.
During the Angolan civil war, the staff of Kalukembe Hospital understandably preferred to stay within the relative safety of their campus. Outside were landmines, armed militias, roving thieves, and scarcity of food. Outside was also a particular village with no clinic, no church, and little hope. One man, an Angolan nurse named Alfonso, stepped up to the needs of this village. He left the security of Kalukembe and exchanged it for tireless days of serving the sick far away from his home.
One December, Alfonso was talking with the people of this new village about the meaning of Christmas, and how God loved them so much that He sacrificed his own Son to save them. But the people protested, saying that they simply could not believe this. How could God love them so much? No one had ever loved them like that.
Just a few days later, Alfonso was cornered in an ambush and senselessly slain. News of his death devastated the staff at Kalukembe. But six months later, their sorrow was transformed into joy. The villagers began approaching Alfonso’s widow with questions about faith in Jesus. They explained how they once believed that God was far away and cared nothing for them. But then Alfonso came as God’s messenger. He cared for them enough to risk his life. The people saw the love of God in action, and that love compelled them to trust Him.
Alfonso took a risk. He got out of the boat. He walked with Jesus on the water. And as a result of his example, hundreds of others from that rural village are following Jesus today.
What is your boat? What safety zone do you need to abandon? If you stay inside, you are at high risk for boredom and lethargy. If you step out, the potential for joy, adventure and freedom are enormous. But step out you must. As you do so, you’ll experience the security of being closer to Jesus. He is not in the boat. He is already waiting for you out on the water.